US EPA

2754005 

Journal Article 

Spironolactone and endocrine dysfunction 

Loriaux, DL; Menard, R; Taylor, A; Pita, JC; Santen, R 

1976 

Yes 

Annals of Internal Medicine
ISSN: 0003-4819
EISSN: 1539-3704 

IPA/77/272022 

Intern 

REF 39 

630-636 

English 

IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP This conference presents a discussion of how differing mechanisms might interact to produce the endocrine side effects associated with spironolactone therapy. Therapy with spironolactone is often associated with estrogen-like side effects, including impotence and gynecomastia in men and menstrual irregularity in women. Several possible mechanisms by which spironolactone could cause these side effects have been identified. Spironolactone has been shown to affect both gonadal and adrenal steroidogenesis, to elevate plasma gonadotropin levels in children, and to act as an antiandrogen at the target tissue level. Although the exact mechanism by which spironolactone causes its unpleasant side effects remains unidentified, its effects on steroid biosynthesis and androgen action have been described.